Mexican national sentenced to 9 years in prison for transporting 445 pounds of marijuana

A 26-year old Mexican national, was sentenced on Aug. 29 to 108 months (9 years) in prison after pleading guilty to a drug charge for transporting more than 445 pounds of marijuana.

Federal prosecutors for the Western District of Texas said that Efren Derma-Dominguez was sentenced last week for a Jan. 28 by border patrol agents who were conducting a traffic stop after Derma-Dominguez consented to a search of the Mexican national's vehicle.

The arresting agent discovered 445.5 pounds of marijuana and 154 grams of methamphetamine inside a black BMW SUV—enough methamphetamine to purportedly kill more than 1,000 people.

While a lethal amount can vary depending on the purity of the drug, an individual’s health, previous drug use or combining it with other substances, scientists believe 150 mg oral dose is enough to kill a person.

Operation Lone Star, a directive by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, in coordination with the Texas Department of Safety and Texas National Guard, has made more than 18,700 criminal arrests since the directive’s inception in March 2021.

Derma-Dominguez pleaded guilty on March 31, while appearing before Judge David Fannin. Their prosecution was the result of a joint investigative effort conducted by the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Border Patrol conducted a joint investigated the crime.